Question about steel ammo in a full choke gun

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yoippari

New member
My dad gave me this gun several years ago, it is a Savage Springfield Model 67F 20ga. 3" chamber with a, I'm not sure of the terminology, built in full choke. I mentioned somewhere that with the 3" magnum steel shells I get a tight enough pattern that I tend to shoot skeet further out than most of the other guys (same thing makes hitting teal flying down river that much harder). When I said that I was told that the steel shot will eventually blow out that full choke and destroy the gun.

Am I slowly killing this gun with steel shot, or is that guy over reacting?
 
I bulged a Franchi barrel with steel shot years ago. Pretty much said it for fixed chokes. Some of the nontoxic shot, like the bismuth combo loads have been advertised as safe for fixed chokes.
 
It is possible that the steel shot is scratching up your barrel.

I don't know about bulging it, though.
 
Chokes affect different types of shot differently. So when we are talking chokes we need to know what shot you are referencing.

If you look at choke tube, they will often express the type of choke for lead shot and the type of choke for steel shot. So, for example, a choke may say its a modified for lead shot and a full for steel shot.

So most older guns with fixed chokes are talking about using lead shot. So when you say the gun says it is a full choke, usually it is assumed that the full choke is referencing lead shot. As such, it is much tighter for steel shot. Generally, too tight for steel to be shot out of the gun on a regular basis.

Depending on the gun and the machining of the choke in that barrel, you might get away with it. On one extreme it might bulge or split the barrel. It is likely to be very hard on the gun.

If you intend to shoot steel shot, have a gunsmith rechoke the barrel or consider having removeable chokes installed.
 
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The steel shot doesn't deform and the plastic cup is thicker ,which means that steel will give a tighter pattern than lead with the same choke. If you have it machined , specify exactly what pattern you want with what type shot.
 
older shotguns were not meant to shoot steel out of very well, especially with a full choke. I would recommend bismuth for waterfowl insted of steel in the old gun.

Otherwise with a newer gun with a full choke go for it with steel.
 
Otherwise with a newer gun with a full choke go for it with steel.
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I was told that even with newer guns you shouldn't shoot steel. He showed me his chokes and the full choke didn't say "Steel OK" on it like his others.
 
I don't bird hunt often but, now that I know, I won't be using steel at all with this gun. I might get it changed to a different cylinder, or more likely just get bismuth shot. My dad doesn't like the higher cost of all the alternative shot like hevi-shot, tungsten, and the like, but since I only duck hunt every few years it shouldn't be an issue.

btw, does the "f" in model 67f stand for full choke or is it just part of the model number? If it is for full do other companies mark their built in chokes like this?
 
i know on the invector chokes there are two different extra full chokes, one for steel and one for lead.
 
I rarely hunt any more, but I would never, ever, use steel shot in one of my double-guns. Those barrels are practically paper-thin at the muzzle.

The Savage is a rugged shotgun, and unless it's really old, I doubt shooting steel shot out of it for hunting (it's not likely you plan on doing this every day) it's unlikely to hurt it.

If in doubt, take it to a good smithy and see if a barrel approved for steel shot can be fitted.
 
I was told that even with newer guns you shouldn't shoot steel. He showed me his chokes and the full choke didn't say "Steel OK" on it like his others.
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That would be my understanding - modified or looser only with steel - you can tear up your choke and barrel otherwise.
 
270 Win, I don't recall exactly when the transition happened. Certainly early 80s and before lead was the primary component of shot. As such, all/most guns were labeled assuming lead shot.

As an aside, I think the issues with lead and lead poisoning of bird has be known and studied seriously starting in the 40s. The problem is they tend to ingest it as they feed and their digestive system start breaking down the shot. I think starting in the 70's alternative types of shot were out on a limited basis. I believe steel shot was mandated for hunting waterfowl in the use in the early 90s.
 
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